Researcher Highlights
Using immersive technologies to transform public spaces

Architecture is built on traditional principles. But owing to the work of Dr Nicholas Foulcher, these are being challenged in favour of more innovative and experimental methods using emergent technology—and Newcastle has been the living lab.

Nicholas’ research is an intersection of social science, architectural theory and the evolving computational technologies and practices that shape them.

It emerged from a curiosity and passion for digital technologies and their impact on architectural education—one that stemmed from his own study at a school of architecture with a curriculum deeply embedded in traditional principles of architectural design education.

“In my PhD thesis, I focused on two established architectural schools known for their particular pedagogical approaches,” Nicholas shares.

“My thesis investigated how architectural educational experiences manifest through the nexus of analogue and digital design technologies.”

“This analysis revealed the complex relationship between digital technology and educational ethos, furthering my exploration of how unarticulated cultural preferences inform student learning and design processes.”

Enlivening urban wasteland

Nicholas’ most recent focus on immersive digital projection technology in the public realm, formed part of a series of grant-funded public activation projects that have revitalised areas in the city of Newcastle currently struggling with renewal.

His pioneering initiative, Honeysuckle Lights, recognised with the NSW Landscape Architecture Award of Excellence in 2019, laid the foundation for the creation of the Lightscape Projects. This collective endeavour incorporated Lightscape (2019), James Street Plaza (2021), and Neural Noise (2022).

“With a focus on improving visibility and considering factors such as contrast, wayfinding cues, and sensory experiences, my research seeks to solve the complexities surrounding safety, accessibility, and usability for people of diverse backgrounds, converting the urban wasteland of residual Newcastle into an interactive and immersive ‘lightscape’,” Nicholas explains.

“It also delves further into the temporal aspect of architectural experiences, enabling a variety of moods and narratives to be evoked and explored within given contexts.”

By employing projections, he seeks to temporally alter and enliven such environments, providing insights into how dynamic and adaptable spaces can positively influence people's interactions and engagement with their surroundings.

Activation 1: Honeysuckle Lights (2018)

In the heart of Newcastle, the Honeysuckle Point Railway Workshops stand as a testament to the city's industrial heritage.

While the adaptation and reuse of these buildings have been largely successful, a crucial element remains missing: a creative interpretation that breathes life into the built environment and honours the stories of the past.

Part of the larger Honeysuckle Placemaking project, Honeysuckle Lights used various illumination and projection techniques to promote Honeysuckle and its heritage by increasing both safety and night-time economy for different groups in the area.

Aligning with the City of Newcastle’s Smart City Strategy, this novel type of public art reimagined the existing city, forming new connections between the built environment and the arts—and the public and place.

As Nicholas further explains, “Our project seeks to bridge this gap by delving into the rich history of these structures and employing new technologies and techniques to revitalise interest in Newcastle's industrial identity.”

He elaborates that by embracing both the past and the future, the team created an immersive experience that not only preserves the heritage of the Honeysuckle Point Railway Workshops but also fosters a deeper connection between the community and its history.

Through innovative approaches, he hopes that these historic landmarks can continue to inspire and educate future generations about Newcastle's industrial legacy.

Activation 2: Lightscape (2019)

Following his work as Project Investigator for Honeysuckle Lights, Nicholas leveraged funding networks to establish himself as Chief Investigator on ‘Lightscape’, funded by the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund.

‘Lightscape’ formed a continuation of placemaking lighting installations, this time exploring sensor technology as an interactive platform to engage the community by activating Brake Block Park, a dimly lit green space located at 101 Honeysuckle Drive.

The project received ethics approval to map the activities of the public as they interacted with the project installation, compiling a data set to analyse metrics intended to better inform activation activities in Newcastle.

As documented through the associated Participant Observation study, approximately 1,000 people interacted to various degrees with the creative work over a 27-day period. This demonstrated a high level of impact and community engagement.

Activation 3: James Street Plaza

Continuing his work in digital installation and activation in the public domain, Nicholas partnered with the City of Newcastle, Hamilton BIA and FASTLab to prototype and execute the James Street Plaza activation.

This third placemaking activation solidified a strong track record for the research team (Mr Jack McGrath and Dr Jane Shadbolt) with the development of the interactive night-time display infrastructure, celebrating Hamilton's rich history and character.

Activation 4: Neural Noise (2022)

Nicholas’ fourth and most recent activation, Neural Noise, crosses the interdisciplinary fields of architecture, arts and psychology and delves into the transformative potential of immersive technologies.

He explored how the integration of immersive technology, including lighting installations, projections and extended reality software, can enhance and transform the user experience.

To investigate these concepts, he employed a Muse^TM Electroencephalogram (EEG) Powered Headband, allowing real-time monitoring of brain frequency, body movement, heart rate and breath.

By mapping these parameters in a visual programming environment, an immersive monochromatic (one colour) experience was created, reflecting the participant's brainwave activity in real time.

“By harnessing the power of immersive technologies, we explored novel ways of creating architectural experiences that go beyond traditional understanding,” says Nicholas.

“These technologies engage the senses, provoke emotions, and evoke unique individual responses. Neural Noise contributed to the field's comprehension of the intricate relationship between individuals and their built environment, shedding light on the transformative potential of immersive technologies and the significance of individual engagement.”

He goes on to say that by exploring the interplay between individuals, immersive environments, and architecture expanded to include the 'virtual experience', we can unlock new possibilities for designing spaces and experiences that captivate, engage, and transform their occupants.

Neural Noise was exhibited at the Newcastle Museum as part of the esteemed Brain and Biomes 2022 exhibition over National Science Week festival. Several respected media organisations publicised and highly recommended the very well-attended event.

The exhibition also involved distinguished personnel from various disciplines contributing to future collaborations.

Answering questions, expanding knowledge

Nicholas’ research addresses key questions in the field: How can we leverage emergent technology to rapidly develop agile solutions that not only prioritise safety, sustainability and cost-effectiveness but also actively engage the community in the decision-making process?

His findings have challenged and expanded current understanding and offered innovative and experimental alternatives to traditional architectural practices. They show how novel applications of technology, through tactical interventions, might stimulate interest and investment in the local economy.

Ultimately, he aims to expand disciplinary knowledge by demonstrating the potential of emerging technologies as transformative tools. His findings have illuminated the possibility of creating engaging, inclusive and sustainable scapes that respond to evolving needs.

The challenges of public installations

Like with most research, Nicholas’ work isn’t without challenges.

Creating successful public-facing installations, such as the Lightscape Projects, requires overcoming several technical, budgetary and documentation factors.

To address this, Nicholas and his teams have done rigorous testing to help address technical issues, careful budget planning and fund sourcing, and kept detailed records of the projects, including design plans, technical specifications, user feedback and media coverage.

Creating a new architectural blueprint

Many aspects of his work make Nicholas proud and keep him motivated.

This includes his ability to draw on the diverse disciplines of social science, architectural theory and emerging computer tech to address real-world urban renewal challenges. It also includes that he’s going beyond theoretical discussion to actively contribute to public activation projects in his own region and abroad.

His research challenges and expands current understandings in his field, offering sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to traditional architectural practices and exploring novel applications of technology.

“I find the community engagement aspect fulfilling, as it allows me to contribute directly to the wellbeing of the local community,” says Nicholas. “I also find the work personally enriching as it allows me to continuously learn, adapt and apply my knowledge in diverse ways.”